White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday that homeless people in Washington who refuse mental health services could face fines or jail time.
Leavitt said homeless people will be given the option to leave their encampments and be taken to a homeless shelter and offered addiction and mental health services.
"If they refuse, they will be subjected to fines or jail time," Leavitt told a White House press briefing.
Levitt said these laws already exist in the municipal code but have not been enforced.
"That's part of the reason we are federalizing the National Guard to bring in this assistance for law enforcement," Leavitt said.
More than 800 law enforcement officers hit the streets of Washington on Monday and made more than 20 arrests, the first day that President Donald Trump ordered federal management of the city's police department, Leavitt said.
"Yesterday, President Trump took bold action to finally restore law and order right here in our nation's capital," Leavitt said.
While the primary object is to remove criminals from the street, Leavitt said they want to make Washington "safe and beautiful."
"And that involves removing mentally disturbed individuals and homeless encampments," Leavitt said.
She also praised the U.S. Park Police for having cleared all but one homeless encampment from the parks.
Trump announced Monday that the city's police department would be put under federal control, and National Guard troops have been deployed after he declared a public safety emergency.
Using temporary powers from the Home Rule Act of 1973, the president can oversee the police for up to 30 days, but any extension would need congressional approval or a legal amendment.
Sam Barron ✉
Sam Barron has almost two decades of experience covering a wide range of topics including politics, crime and business.